Best Cameras for Snowboarding of 2024

BEST PREMIUM-QUALITY SNOWBOARDING ACTION CAMERA

If you’re looking for a camera that excels at taking both photos and videos all while being packed into a compact, rugged, take-me-anywhere-and-everywhere design, then GoPro’s latest offering will be your godsend: the Hero8 Black. 

Able to shoot stunning Ultra High Definition video (4K at 60 frames per second), you’ll be able to capture ultra high-resolution video and smooth, buttery action footage without having to worry about the details. You’ll also be able to seamlessly switch between 4 “digital lenses”, giving you the freedom to capture both “normal” looking video (without the warp-y, fisheye look) as well as super wide angle (270° degree field of view) shots from the top of the mountain that’s like taking a really cool panorama on your smartphone, only better! 

Also packed into this little beast is an intuitive 2” touch-screen that you can playback footage on, a removable battery that can be replaced with a backup to keep you on the mountain longer, and voice controlled camera activation for hands free simplicity. But perhaps coolest of all is the new HyperSmooth 2.0, which reduces shakiness and nauseating video from intense action footage. 

Downsides? None. We’re still scratching our heads as to how GoPro is going to top this one in the future.

BEST VLOGGING SNOWBOARDING ACTION CAMERA

If you like to vlog your snowboarding adventures in order to capture both yourself and what you’re experiencing, then the GoPro MAX will make your life much, much easier. 

Sporting not just 1, but 2 cameras, the MAX is able to capture both front and rear facing video footage simultaneously. We know: mind = blown. Not only that, the footage you capture isn’t just two seperate feeds, but rather is stitched together in real-time to create a 360° field of view that includes both camera feeds in a single frame. I swear it’s magic. 

This takes personal (and professional) vlogging to a whole new level. The immersive 360° video is also perfect when hitting the terrain park, letting viewers see both the obstacle to be shredded and yourself as you nail the stunt.

Of course, you can also switch back to “Hero” mode and record normally (i.e. not in 360° mode – this can be with either front or rear facing camera) if you are so inclined and have a specific vision for a shot. 

Perhaps where this camera gets a little tricky is in the photo department. If you want to take “Hero” style (i.e. normal – not 360° spherical looking shots) photos, you’ll be relying on 1 of the 2 cameras and will have only a 5.5 megapixel capability which is underwhelming, to say the least. 

However, if you double up the cameras and capture an “immersive 360° photo” (think phone camera panorama to the max), you’ll have a whopping 16.6 megapixels at your disposal. While that is indeed impressive, not everyone wants or needs 360° photos, making this a less than ideal “photo” camera. 

In sum: The MAX has revolutionary video capabilities for action sports like snowboarding and will take “pretty good” normal photos.

BEST RUGGED POINT-AND-SHOOT 

If you’re looking for a more traditional style camera that has most of the capabilities of a GoPro, then the TG-6 Waterproof by Olympus should be on your list of options. 

When it comes to rugged adventures, the TG-6 stacks up well. It’s actually more waterproof than a GoPro, able to be submerged almost 20 feet deeper than the Hero8 Black. It’s also dustproof, freezeproof, shockproof, crushproof, snowproof, and has a 3” rear display (1” larger than a GoPro display). 

It has a 12 megapixel camera that matches the Hero8 Black, but will ultimately capture better photos thanks to a high-speed sensor absent from GoPros. Pair that with the ability to manipulate settings and amateur photographers will be able to create stunning visuals from the top of the mountain. 

Overall, the TG-6 will beat out a GoPro in the photography department in the hands of someone with a little photo know-how. Its video capabilities are just dandy, but could be better. 

Note: This is the only camera listed here that does not include BlueTooth capabilities.

BEST BUDGET PICK

If you’re wanting a top-notch GoPro without paying top-dollar money, you can save some coin by grabbing the previous iteration: the GoPro Hero7 Black. 

The Hero7 Black has many of the same features as the newest GoPro model (the Hero8 Black), offering 12 megapixel photos, 4K video capture at 60 frames per second (fps), a 2” touchscreen for playing back footage, slow motion up to 8x, and HyperSmooth video stabilization that will make your snowboarding footage buttery smooth. 

The Hero7 Black also has 3 digital lenses (doesn’t include the narrow lens on the Hero8 Black), captures RAW photos that can be edited using post-production editing software, and includes voice-activated features for hands free capabilities. 

However, the live streaming option is only available in 720p (p refers to pixel count), which although is technically HD, it is noticeably low-quality compared to a stunning 1080p video (which has 50% more pixels, meaning a sharper image!). Also absent is the Night Lapse shooting option (available on Hero8 Black) which allows you to take time-lapse photos and videos in low light (i.e. night time). 

At the end of the day, the Hero7 Black is nearly identical to the Hero8 Black and if the aforementioned differences don’t bother you, then the Hero7 Black will actually be a better investment for you since it comes at a lower price point.

BEST PREMIUM QUALITY POINT-AND-SHOOT 

If you have a little bit of camera know-how and want to take the highest quality photos to document your snowboarding vacation, then the PowerShot G9X Mark II from Canon will be your best bet. 

Sporting the best photo resolution in this list, the PowerShot boasts a whopping 20.1 megapixel camera and has a high-speed sensor that intelligently manipulates the elements to produce the highest quality photos. In order to make the most of these features, you’ll need a little knowledge when it comes to adjusting ISO, aperture, and shutter speed (see Things to Consider section below for more info about these terms). 

Speaking of ISO, this camera has the broadest range of all the cameras listed here, going as low as 125 and as high as 12,800. ISO determines how much light a camera’s sensor is receiving – the lower the lightsource, the higher the ISO needs to be. This translates into a greater ability to capture low-light images such as family photos on the mountain during sunset. 

The PowerShot also features an image processor that makes action shots crisper and cleaner, reducing the chance for blurry photos. And it has a 3” inch touchscreen that can be used to review photos after they’re taken. 

To conclude, the PowerShot will take the best photos hands down but is certainly the most vulnerable camera when snowboarding. Even tucked away in a backpack, it risks damage in the event of a fall. If you want to take videos or you need a rugged camera that will stand up to drops and falls, look elsewhere.